run scored

John Doe

John Dogget

pitcherchange

John Doe

Stat Definition:

A strike zone analysis for a hitter showing his batting average in eight different zones versus the handedness of the current pitcher.

All visualizations are seen from the pitcher's perspective.

In certain circumstances there may not be relevant player data to calculate a particular stat.

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Stat Definition:

A hitter's spray chart illustrating where he puts the ball in play.

In certain circumstances there may not be relevant player data to calculate a particular stat.

In certain circumstances there may not be relevant player data to calculate a particular stat.

In certain circumstances there may not be relevant player data to calculate a particular stat.

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Stat Definition:

A hitter's scouting report including batting average, slugging, and home runs against the different pitch types used by the current pitcher.

In certain circumstances there may not be relevant player data to calculate a particular stat.

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Stat Definition:

Homerun Analysis shows pitch type and pitch location for a batter's recent home-runs. Stats can contain homerun location from the previous season to show trends.

In certain circumstances there may not be relevant player data to calculate a particular stat.

Friday, July 11th, 2014

Oakland Athletics @ Seattle Mariners

Scheduled Start Time: 10:10 PM ET

SAFECO Field

(SportsNetwork.com) - If the Seattle Mariners intend on challenging the Oakland Athletics in the American League West this season, this weekend would be a nice jumping off point.

And who better to have on the hill than Felix Hernandez, as the Mariners kick off a three-game series versus the A's at Safeco Field.

Seattle, which is nine games back of Oakland in the division, pushed Hernandez back a day so he would be able to start this set. The right-hander has been nearly flawless this season and is in the midst of a franchise-record 10 consecutive starts of at least seven innings while allowing two earned runs or less. He is 6-1 with a 1.40 ERA over that span.

Seattle could have used Hernandez on Thursday, as the Mariners were swept by Minnesota, 4-2, in a game that they used six relief pitchers to get by. Seattle has now lost four of five and has managed just three runs in the sweep by the Twins.

Hernandez, meanwhile, did not get a decision on Saturday in Chicago, but was again solid, as he surrendered two runs, three hits and struck out eight over eight innings in his team's 3-2 win. He is 10-2 overall on the year to go along with a 2.11 ERA.

The former AL Cy Young Award winner may also set the Mariners record for the lowest ERA prior to the All-Star break of 2.20 set by Randy Johnson in 1997.

'It's good for me, but I just have to go out there and do my job,' Hernandez said. 'It's no different than any other game. I just have to give my team a chance to win. That's all I've got to do.'

Hernandez stands a good chance at staying on track, as he is 17-7 lifetime with a 2.64 ERA in 32 starts against Oakland, including 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA in three outings this year.

Oakland, though, will oppose him with an impressive righty of its own in newly acquired Jeff Samardzija, who will be making his second start with the A's since being traded from Chicago.

Samardzija beat the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, limiting them to a run and four hits in seven innings.

'They were doing just fine without me,' Samardzija said. 'I don't want to come in and change anything and change the atmosphere.'

Samardzija gave up two runs over seven innings in a no-decision in his only other start versus the Mariners.